volcano

This photo was taken while flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha aboard a very small and loud plane we had boarded in Nairobi, Kenya. This view and image is seared in my mind as it was the first real sighting I had of the world tallest freestanding mountain and the highest summit on the African Peninsula and I knew I would be attempting to climb this massive mountain before the month was finished.

Before seeing this massive mountain that seemingly didn't realize such girth and height should not be so high above the clouds, the highest I had climbed was to the top of a peak at Breckenridge Ski resort at about 13,000 feet. That climb was after months of living at 9,000 feet and after taking a chair lift up to about 12,500 feet. All that being said, the hike which takes locals anywhere from 15 - 25 minutes took me 45 minutes and I could really feel the thin air and its affects on my energy.

In the end me and my climb team lead by our awesome guides were all able to summit after a very acclimatizingly friendly 7 day climb. The peak of Mt Kilimanjaro sits at exactly 19,341 feet and reaching the summit after 7 long days of climbing through every climate system on earth was an amazing experience!